A total of 27 people will be vying for a seat on the Conservative Party of Canada’s National Council at next week’s convention in Quebec City.
The National Council is the party’s highest and most powerful governing body, serving as a board of directors for the Conservative party, including overseeing leadership elections and nomination races.
True North reached out to all the candidates running in Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia to ask them about their background and why they are running. All received responses have been included below.
Ontario:
Seven people, including one incumbent, are running for Ontario’s four national council seats.
Stewart Kiff, president of a Toronto-based public affairs consultancy, hopes to be re-elected. Kiff told True North “I am the father of three adult children, a man of faith and is an active attendee and supporter of Toronto’s Stone Church.
“As an Indigenous Canadian, I want to modernize our Party and make inroads to young voters, Indigenous communities and new Canadians while staying true to our core beliefs in small government, strong families and communities, and love of our great country,” he added. Kiff recently emerged from a years-long battle with cancer, and says he has a renewed sense of gratitude and purpose.
Alex Corelli, a longtime party volunteer from Toronto, says he’s running for National Council to protect the party’s values. Corelli is currently the 9th Vice President of the Ontario PC Party and previously served as President of the Ontario Young Progressive Conservatives. He told True North that “simply put, conservatives shouldn’t be afraid to say conservative things in the Conservative Party.”
“My political journey began in the free speech on campus movements that fought back against the radical left’s attempt to silence conservative voices. The lessons I learned from defending conservatives and their right to speak freely in academic institutions have stuck with me.”
Aidan Mackey, a first year University of Ottawa student who has been involved in conservative politics from a young age, is vying to be the youngest person on National Council. He told True North “I have been a volunteer and grassroots for numerous successful local and national campaigns across the country, championing common sense, reform, and true Conservatism.” Mackey is also the host of the Conservative Roundup podcast.
“I’m running for National Council because I’m passionate about advancing our party’s values and policies. I believe that my unique perspective as a member and grassroots, combined with my leadership skills and dedication, can make a meaningful impact in shaping the party’s direction,” MacKay added.
Aaron Scheewe, a Government Relations expert based in Toronto, is also hoping to represent Ontario on National Council. “I spent 13 years in Ottawa working for the CPC in Official Opposition, followed by the entirety of the years the Right Honourable Stephen Harper was Prime Minister. I have worked in his office, as well as directly for the Honourable Stockwell Day, John Baird, Tony Clement and Gary Goodyear.”
Scheewe, who is a father of two, told True North he’s a credible candidate because “I genuinely care about putting our party and Pierre Poilievre in a position to form government by winning the next election. I want nothing more than to help them promote excellent candidates who will carry Pierre’s vision to fix our broken country after 8 years of the Trudeau Liberals.”
Christina Mitas, a former Ontario PC MPP who is now VP of a Toronto strategy firm, says she’s running to “be a strong voice for the party’s membership.” She also told True North her experience, including as an Ontario MPP, “taught me that our members are the heart of our party and movement.”
As a mother, she says she “never allow supporting family values to be an obstacle to serving our party as a candidate or participating in the policy development process. I have always stood up for what is right. I will never shy away from standing up for our members and promise to serve with integrity.”
Daphne Tot, an agriculture and animal nutrition professional from Guelph, told True North she decided to run “because my work on the National Policy and Oversight Committees and my work for my local Guelph Electoral District Association (EDA) has highlighted for me the importance of preserving and upholding our democratic processes.”
“I will serve Ontario members with the same integrity and honesty while fulfilling my campaign promises that I have clearly demonstrated through my work on the National Policy Committee and my local EDA. I believe my passion for the Conservative Party of Canada and its grassroots members, coupled with my skills, work and volunteer experience, make me a great asset to National Council.”
Waseem Botros is also vying to represent Ontario on the National Council.
Alberta:
Three people, including one incumbent, are seeking to be elected to one of Alberta’s two National Council seats.
Amber Ruddy, a Conservative activist, volunteer and strategist with a decade of experience in business advocacy, at the federal, provincial, and municipal levels, hopes to be re-elected. “I have knocked on thousands of doors, served on electoral district associations, and worked to get Conservatives elected,” Ruddy told True North.
“As a proud Conservative, I have championed the grassroots, believing that the true strength of our party, and country, lies in the hands of the everyday Canadians who work tirelessly to build strong families and strong communities.”
Heather Feldbusch, a government relations expert and lifelong Conservative, told True North she is running “to put in the work needed to support our party, its members, and our candidates as we work to bring common-sense home and make Pierre Poilievre our next prime minister.”
“I grew up on our family farm and understand the value of hard work. Alberta is where my husband and I live, go to church, and raise our three children. I am an active conservative volunteer who engages and participates in campaigns and events throughout the province, and serves on local boards both as a director and in executive positions.”
Al Siebring is also running for National Council in Alberta.
British Columbia
Three people, including two incumbents, are vying for British Columbia’s two National Council seats.
Mani Fallon, a long-time conservative activist and aviation director with experience as a former candidate, is running for re-election. She told True North that “with over 20 years in Canada’s public and private sector, I am an experienced relationship builder.” She added “I am mother of two girls, one in university and one in high school.”
“I am running for re-election to National Council to continue the work that I started 2 years ago. It is important to have a strong voice to represent the interests of members from British Columbia and with my time with the party, I have connections to multiple people in each riding across this vast province. I am accessible, able to problem solve and think critically.”
National Councillor Robert Boyd also hopes to be re-elected. Konrad Kobielewski is also running.
Voting for the national council elections will take place on the third day of the convention – Saturday, Sept, 9.
True North will be on the ground to bring you independent coverage of the convention starting next Thursday.
